Vancouver Island University害羞草研究所檚 volleyball program won a pair of provincial championships.

The VIU Mariners men害羞草研究所檚 and women害羞草研究所檚 v-ball teams both captured gold at the Pacific Western Athletic Association championships this past weekend, Feb. 23-24, in New Westminster.

The men害羞草研究所檚 final was incredible drama, as the host Douglas Royals team got ahead two sets to none, but VIU came all the way back for the reverse sweep, 20-25, 13-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-12.

Luca Torres had 20 kills including the match winner, with Rylan Van Kooten adding 12 kills.

Torres was chosen tournament MVP, with Van Kooten, Daniel Mascarenhas and Owen Dyck selected as all-stars.

The Mariners needed the win to make it to nationals, as one of the PacWest害羞草研究所檚 berths at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championships was already assured for the host Camosun Chargers. Nationals start March 7 at Victoria害羞草研究所檚 Pacific Institute for Sport Education.

In women害羞草研究所檚 action, the Mariners were the class of the PacWest, breezing to a straight-sets victory over the Capilano Blues in the final, 25-19, 25-16, 25-16.

It was a complete effort, as the Mariners害羞草研究所� offence 害羞草研究所渉ad too many weapons to defend,害羞草研究所� noted a PacWest press release, adding that on defence, the Mariners 害羞草研究所済ot to seemingly every ball the Blues sent over the net. They took pride in their digs and their net play frustrated the Blues hitters.害羞草研究所�

VIU害羞草研究所檚 balanced attack led by setter Linnea Brickwood saw Grace Brisebois, Aimee Skinner and Regan Ingram each record eight kills. Brickwood was chosen MVP with Skinner, Emma Schill and Kiana Gelissen selected as all-stars.

The CCAA women害羞草研究所檚 volleyball championships will be held in Red Deer, Alta, starting March 6.

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